Electronic housing with a particular key system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic housing comprising a micro-switch with a push button, a cover through which an orifice passes and an inner face, and a key system (150) comprising a key (152) having a head (152a) and movable between a pressed position and a non-pressed position, wherein the key (152) has an activation surface (154a) pressing against the push button, wherein the key (152) has a stop (152b) coming to rest against the inner face, and a return element (156) which constrains the key (152) in the non-pressed position and which comprises a plurality of arms (156c) extending under the head (152a), wherein in the non-pressed position, each arm (156c) is under constraint.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic housing comprising a particular key system as well as such a key system. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0002] An electronic device, such as a home automation device, includes at least one button that allows interaction with the device. An electronic device of this type is described, for example, in US patent 2014 / 008194 A1.

[0003] The key is mounted above a microswitch, which is itself fixed to a printed circuit board. The key is activated by pressing it, causing it to press the microswitch. This movement requires some play between the key and the microswitch, and a return spring pushes the key back when it is released.

[0004] Although such an installation is satisfactory, it is desirable to find a different arrangement which in particular allows for play recovery, reduced bulk and a low plunge stroke. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an electronic box which has a touch system which uses an interface piece which ensures, among other things, game recovery.

[0006] To this end, an electronic enclosure is proposed comprising a printed circuit board with a microswitch that has a push button, and an enclosure having a cover with an opening opposite said microswitch and an inner face facing the printed circuit board, where the key system comprises: a key having a head intended to pass through the hole, wherein the key is movable parallel to a direction of insertion between a pressed position in which the head is intended to be closer to the printed circuit board and a non-pressed position in which the head is intended to be further from the printed circuit board, wherein the key has an activation surface which is intended to press against the push-button when the key is in the pressed position and to be at a distance from the push-button when the key is in the non-pressed position, wherein the key has a stop which is intended to press against the inner face when the key is in the non-pressed position and to be at a distance from the inner face when the key is in the pressed position, and a return element intended to be arranged between the printed circuit board and the key and which constrains the key to the non-pressed position,where the return element comprises a base with a base surface intended to bear against the printed circuit board and a plurality of arms fixed to the base and extending generally perpendicularly to the direction of insertion under the head, where each arm has a contact surface intended to be oriented away from the printed circuit board, where for each contact surface, the key has a complementary contact surface oriented towards the associated contact surface, where in the unpressed position, each complementary contact surface bears against the associated contact surface such that the arm in question is under stress.

[0007] According to a particular arrangement, the junction between the base and each arm takes the form of an arched portion.

[0008] According to a particular arrangement, the base takes the form of a polygon designed to surround the micro-switch.

[0009] According to a particular arrangement, each arm is fixed to the base at a corner of the polygon.

[0010] According to a particular arrangement, the key system includes guiding means which ensure the guidance of the key relative to the return element parallel to the direction of depressing.

[0011] According to a particular arrangement, the key has a plurality of guide pads and, for each guide pad, the return element has a sleeve in which the guide pad slides parallel to the direction of insertion, and in that the guide pads and the sleeves form the guiding means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic representation of an electronic housing with a key system according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of the key system according to the invention, [ Fig. 3 ] is a section along plane III of the Fig. 2 of the key system according to the invention, [ Fig. 4 ] is a section along plane V of the Fig. 2 of the key system according to the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective view of an elastic means implemented in the touch system according to the invention, and [ Fig. 6 ] is a bottom view of a key implemented in the key system according to the invention. DETAILED EXPLANATION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0013] There Fig. 1 The illustration shows an electronic box 100 according to the invention with a portion torn away to reveal the interior. Of course, the electronic box 100 can take other forms, and its function is irrelevant to the invention. The electronic box 100 could thus be a home automation device such as a thermostat, or something similar.

[0014] The electronic housing 100 comprises a housing 102 and a key system 150 according to the invention. Of course, the number of key systems 150 can be greater than one.

[0015] In the embodiment of the invention presented to the Fig. 1 , the housing 102 has a base 102a and a cover 102b which covers the base 102a and which has, for each key system 150, an opening 102c.

[0016] The electronic housing 100 also includes a printed circuit board 104 which is fixed in the housing 102 between the bottom 102a and the cover 102b.

[0017] There Fig. 2 shows the key system 150 installed in the housing 102 and which includes a key 152 which has a head 152a which is cylindrical in shape and which passes through the orifice 102c so as to be accessible from outside the housing 102. The shape of the orifice 102c and the shape of the head 152a are complementary to ensure at least part of the guidance of the key 152 when it moves.

[0018] THE Figs. 3 And 4 show cross-sections of the 150 key system according to two different cutting planes.

[0019] The 152 key, which is better viewed on the Fig. 6 The button 152 is actuated by pressing it parallel to a pressing direction F, which is oriented generally perpendicular to and towards the printed circuit board 104. The button 152 is thus movable between a pressed position, in which the head 152a is closer to the printed circuit board 104, and a released position, in which the head 152a is further from the printed circuit board 104 relative to the pressed position. The head 152a has a central axis coaxial with the pressing direction F. In the case of a head 152a with a circular cross-section, the central axis is the axis of the cylinder, and in the case of a head 152a with a rectangular cross-section, the central axis is the axis passing through the center of the rectangle.

[0020] The printed circuit board 104 includes a microswitch 104a which has a push button 104b and which is fixed to the printed circuit board 104. The microswitch 104a is arranged between the printed circuit board 104 and the key 152 which has an activation surface 154a which is opposite the head 152a and which is designed to press against the push button 104b when the key 152 is in the pressed position and to be away from the push button 104b when the key 152 is in the unpressed position.

[0021] There are potentially several microswitches 104a and for each one there is an orifice 102c which goes through the hood 102b and is opposite the microswitch 104a, and there is a touch system 150.

[0022] The activation surface 154a is arranged here at the end of a central pad 154 of the key 152 which extends from the head 152a towards the printed circuit board 104.

[0023] The key system 150 also includes a return element 156 which is seen in perspective on the Fig. 5 , which is arranged between the printed circuit board 104 and the key 152 and which forces the key 152 into the unpressed position, that is to say in the opposite direction of the press F.

[0024] The key 152 has a stop 152b which is here fixed to the head 152a and which here takes the form of a ring around the head 152a. In general, the stop 152b takes the form of an outgrowth which extends outside the head 152a.

[0025] The hood 102b has an inner face 102d which faces the printed circuit board 104.

[0026] In the unpressed position, the stop 152b is in contact with the inner face 102d and the activation surface 154a is at a distance from the push button 104b.

[0027] In the pressed position, the stop 152b is moved away from the inner face 102d and the activation surface 154a is pressed against the push button 104b.

[0028] The return element 156 is preferably made by molding a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyamide.

[0029] The return element 156 comprises a base 156a having a base surface 156b which bears against the printed circuit board 104 and a plurality of arms 156c, here four in number, which are fixed to the base 156a and which extend generally parallel to the printed circuit board 104, that is to say, generally perpendicular to the direction of insertion F, under the head 152a. Due to the orientation of the arms 156c relative to the base 156a, the junction between the base 156a and each arm 156c takes the form of an arched portion which creates a flexible zone which promotes elastic deformation of the arms 156c.

[0030] Each arm 156c has a contact surface 156d oriented opposite the printed circuit board 104 and for each contact surface 156d, the key 152 has a complementary contact surface 152c which here takes the form of a ring around the central pad 154 which is oriented towards the associated contact surface 156d.

[0031] In the unpressed position, each additional contact surface 152c rests against its associated contact surface 156d so that the arm 156c in question is slightly depressed, i.e., displaced towards the printed circuit board 104, and is thus under stress. The stresses in the arms 156c force the key 152 against the inner face 102d, which compensates for play and prevents the key 152 from wobbling.

[0032] Key 152 is thus carried by arms 156c.

[0033] For balancing reasons, the number of 156c arms is at least three, distributed equiangularly with respect to each other around the direction of penetration F. For better balancing, the number of 156c arms is four, distributed equiangularly with respect to each other around the direction of penetration F.

[0034] To ensure a secure fit on the printed circuit board 104, the base 156a takes the form of a polygon that surrounds the micro-switch 104a. In a particular embodiment, each arm 156c is fixed to the base 156a at a corner of the polygon.

[0035] In the embodiment of the invention presented in particular on the Fig. 5 , the base 156a takes the form of a rectangle and each arm 156c is fixed to the base 156a at a corner of said rectangle.

[0036] To ensure guidance of the key 152 during its movement, the key system 150 includes guiding means 158 which ensure the guidance of the key 152 relative to the return element 156 parallel to the direction of depressment F.

[0037] The guiding means 158 are distributed between the key 152 and the return element 156. In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Figs. 5 And 6 , the key 152 has a plurality of guide pads 158a and for each guide pad 158a, the return element 156 has a sleeve 158b in which the guide pad 158a slides parallel to the direction of insertion F.

[0038] The guide pads 158a are here integral with the head 152a.

[0039] The guide pads 158 and the sleeves 158b form the guiding means 158.

[0040] Each guide block 158a and each sleeve 158b are oriented parallel to the driving direction F.

[0041] Each guide stud 158a remains partially inserted in the associated sleeve 158b even in the unpressed position.

[0042] In the embodiment of the invention presented on the Figs. 5 And 6 , there are four guide pads 158a and four sleeves 158b which are distributed equiangularly with respect to each other around the direction of penetration F.

[0043] In the embodiment of the invention presented to the Fig. 5 , each 158b scabbard is partially open.

Claims

1. An electronic housing (100) comprising: - a printed circuit board (104) with a microswitch (104a) having a push button (104b), - a housing (102) having a cover (102b) through which an opening (102c) passes opposite said microswitch (104a), and an inner face (102d) facing the printed circuit board (104), and - a key system (150) for an electronic housing (100) comprising: - a key (152) having a keytop (152a) for passing through the opening (102c), wherein the key (152) is movable parallel to a pressing direction (F) between a depressed position in which the keytop (152a) is intended to be brought closer to the printed circuit board (104) and a unpressed position in which the keytop (152a) is intended to be moved away from the printed circuit board (104), wherein the key (152) has an activation surface (154a) provided to press against the push button (104b) when the key (152) is in the depressed position and to be spaced apart from the push button (104b) when the key (152) is in the unpressed position, wherein the key (152) has a stop (152b) provided to rest against the inner face (102d) when the key (152) is in the unpressed position and to be spaced apart from the inner face (102d) when the key (152) is in the depressed position, and - a return element (156) for being arranged between the printed circuit board (104) and the key (152) and which constrains the key (152) in the unpressed position, characterized in that the return element (156) comprises a base (156a) with a base surface (156b) for resting against the printed circuit board (104), and a plurality of arms (156c) integral with the base (156a) and extending generally perpendicular to the pressing direction (F) under the keytop (152a), wherein each arm (156c) has a contact surface (156d) for facing away from the printed circuit board (104), wherein for each contact surface (156d) the key (152) has a complementary contact surface (152c) facing the associated contact surface (156d), wherein, in the unpressed position, each complementary contact surface (152c) rests against the associated contact surface (156d) so that the arm (156c) in question is stressed.

2. The electronic housing (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the joining between the base (156a) and each arm (156c) takes the form of an arcuate portion.

3. The electronic housing (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the base (156a) takes the form of a polygon for surrounding the microswitch (104a).

4. The electronic housing (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that each arm (156c) is attached to the base (156a) at a corner of the polygon.

5. The electronic housing (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the key system (150) comprises guide means (158) which guide the key (152) relative to the return element (156) parallel to the pressing direction (F).

6. The electronic housing (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the key (152) comprises a plurality of guide lugs (158a), and, for each guide lug (158a), the return element (156) comprises a sleeve (158b) in which the guide lug (158a) slides parallel to the pressing direction (F), and in that the guide lugs (158a) and the sleeves (158b) form the guide means (158).

Images